Contact:

Rep. Chris Taylor, 608-266-5342

MADISON – Today, on the heels of another school shooting that left 17 students and teachers dead and a dozen people injured, Assembly Democrats tried to pass a universal background check for gun purchases, which polling indicates 90% of the public supports. Currently, background checks are only required under federal law for a firearm purchased from a licensed dealer. Dangerous individuals can purchase a firearm with no questions asked at a gun show or on the internet. Assembly Republicans scrambled for hours to try to stop the bill from coming to the floor. Ultimately, the GOP voted to block consideration of the bill, and instead passed a bill to fund more armed guards at schools.

In response, Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) issued the following statement:

“Once again, the Assembly Republicans show that they are in the death-grip of the NRA and refuse to even pass the most basic gun safety laws. High schools students came to the Capitol today, and advocated for action. They are afraid to go to school. They are afraid to go to class. And they are begging us to take meaningful action. Today, once again, Assembly Republicans ignored them and the root of the problem–that dangerous individuals have easy access to firearms. Instead, the Assembly GOP want more armed guards at our schools.

“This irresponsible, hands-off approach to sensible, popular gun safety measures is jeopardizing the safety of our children, and of our communities. How can my Republican colleagues refuse to meaningfully act in the face of children being murdered at their schools? How many more children have to be murdered until they represent their constituents and not the gun manufacturers?”

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